Initiative to boost animal welfare in Australia

A new initiative aimed at boosting animal welfare standards has been launched by the Australian Meat Industry Council (AMIC).

The new voluntary initiative or welfare code, will require Australian meat processors to employ independent third party auditors to ensure that processors meet strict animal welfare standards.

The code will apply from the time the animal enters a processing facility, right through to slaughter, ABC Rural reports.

Tom McGuire, AMIC’s animal welfare spokesperson said that animal welfare is highly important from both a consumer and industry standpoint.

"I think it is very important. Consumers and the general public expect that of us,” said McGuire.

"The auditing will be done by qualified auditors under a program managed by Aus-Meat on behalf of the council.

"From a consumer's perspective, they don't care where an animal welfare incident comes from, so it is important that the whole industry take this up so we can stand as one."

McGuire says that the program will provide processors with a training program in animal welfare and will provide valuable feedback to businesses.

"A key element of the program is to give feedback to producers about the quality of the livestock that have received, and if there are any incidents, such as whether an animal was not fit to load or there was any injury when the animal was received."

We are not got going to get more money for getting it right, but it is just a key to stay in business."